More on B; walk mapping; dreamscape

Met Ray at the Alto Lounge on Saturday morning for a Barbara update. Shocked at what an expensive business dying is. Apparently coffins come in a range of possible materials including cardboard, though even cardboard apparently costs a few bob.

The WEA Southern region published a nice piece about B on their website last week. B had been a stalwart of the WEA - which sounds like an excellent organisation; Ray and I once did a modern art day school with them - for years.

Windy weather last Friday caused damage to the roofs of a couple of houses on Gosbrook Road. Luckily the worst that happened to us was the bins blowing over, together with next doors' bins. Neighbour at number 47 reckoned it was quite exciting.

Very excited to have discovered the MapMyWalk website and app (even though it's probably been around for a while). Switch on GPS, start walking and it tracks your route and how many miles you're doing. Or you can plot the route retrospectively when you get back. Fantastic. Has rekindled my enthusiasm for daily walking - which is frankly as well given that I am rapidly reaching a point where I'll no longer fit into 'fat day' clothing.

With the app in mind, took a walk with Ruth to our local branch of Decathlon on Saturday, where I looked at some walking shoes (as the trusty boots I've had for the last 10 years or so sprung a leak during the tramp down the Blorenge on New Year's Day). Tried on a couple of pairs in lurid colours, but then decided to make use of my trainers for the next month or so. Ruth bought a sports bra in case it makes her re-join the gym.

Tried out a takeaway from the Calcutta Brasserie in Stony Stratford last week, an upmarket Indian restaurant in a converted chapel. Had originally picked it for our team meal back in November, but Hoa had struck a cautionary note saying that he reckoned it was 'style over substance' (though in the event he didn't bleedin' turn up anyway). Anyway, the South Indian Garlic Chicken I ordered was absolutely delicious. Also ordered a stuffed paratha – which was enormous and would have comfortably served two. And there was a 30% discount on takeaways before 7pm.

Weird dream last night involving the late Lola. In the dream, we had lost her, but not via her death as in reality - just through actually losing her. At one point I think we were searching for her in an antique shop, and later along the side of a valley. What can this mean?